Throughout the Easter Season our first readings and Gospels are taken, respectively, from the Acts of the Apostles and from the “Last Supper Discourses” of John’s Gospel. Acts is the account of the Apostles miraculous exploits of preaching, healing, and even raising the dead (Acts 9:37ff; 20:9ff), while the Johannine discourses present Jesus’ final teachings as he prepares his Apostles for the events to come and for their ultimate mission. These stories and teachings serve us, not as entertainment, but as preparation for our own mission. As Christians, our mission is to witness in our persons to the remarkable life Jesus promises to give, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (Jn 14:27). A life this remarkable is, however, the fruit springing only from hearts that love God and all his children: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples…” (Jn 13:34-35). Finally, the life emanating from Christian hearts goes out to all whom we encounter and brings them healing of all kinds. The sequence of love, life, and healing presence is the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit, at work in the souls of us who believe. As we move through the Easter Season, we will hopefully grow in our desire to receive these same promises, and will pray with increased fervor for a new outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.